Leg raiser systems

ABSTRACT

A leg raiser which allows for a stack, which is sufficiently high, but can only be toppled by excessive horizontal force applied. It can also accommodate the buildup of multiple layers of pillows of varied densities and thicknesses over its support base. In this way the user can sufficiently elevate his/her feet to reduce swelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application, claims benefit under 35 USC 119 to Canada National Application No. 3,017,306 filed on Sep. 13, 2018 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of furniture of existing art and more specifically relates to leg raiser systems.

RELATED ART

Many people sit and lay on furniture in their homes. Furniture may include beds, tables, chairs and the like. Pillows may be used on furniture to increase comfort levels. At times when individuals experience pain and swelling of feet, legs and calves they may wish to prop them up in an effort to reduce blood flow. If the body part is elevated above the level of the heart the swelling tends to decrease. Use of conventional pillows and furniture may prove unsatisfactory since pillows can slide and topple in relation to the furniture. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,992 to Jon C. Gehrke relates to a leg elevator system. The described leg elevator system includes a device for support and elevation of the lower extremities. More specifically, the invention is a leg elevator that provides calibrated, adjustable support for the upper leg, the lower leg and the foot. The leg elevator is adjustable to many different positions through the use of three independent adjustment mechanisms. The upper leg portion of the leg elevator can be adapted to accommodate people that have upper legs of various lengths. The height of the lower leg portion is also adjustable, and the relative angular position of the upper and lower leg can be varied from a generally flat position, to a substantially bent position. The invention can be used to provide elevation for either leg separately or for both legs simultaneously. The leg elevator is lightweight, easily disinfected, and can be collapsed to a relatively flat position for ease in transport and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known furniture art, the present disclosure provides a novel leg raiser system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective means for elevating legs.

A modular leg raiser system is disclosed herein comprising: a frame including a first-top-rail; a second-top-rail; a first-bottom-rail; a second-bottom-rail; end connector members; a plurality of side-rails; a plurality of top-slats; and a plurality of bottom-slats; a plurality of pillows; wherein the frame of the modular leg raiser system comprises of and is defined by the first-top-rail; the second-top-rail; the first-bottom-rail; the second-bottom-rail; and the end connector members. Relationally speaking, the first-top-rail; and the second-top-rail reside on a plane above the first-bottom-rail; and the second-bottom-rail during an in-use condition. The plurality of side-rails provide vertical rigidity for the frame (although not suitable for standing or sitting on). The plurality of top-slats are located between the first-top-rail; and the second-top-rail and the plurality of bottom-slats are located between the first-bottom-rail; and the second-bottom-rail formed as a base. The plurality of top-slats in combination with the first-top-rail; and the second-top-rail provide a surface upon which to strategically place the pillows in combination to allow a user to elevate his/her feet above a level of a heart of the user. The device may or may not be sold with a modular pillow set. The pillows may have straps or other suitable fastening means (hook and loop, buttons, clips, clasps, snaps, or the like) by which they can be modularly placed so as to prevent them from relative movement in relation to each other or to the frame of the present invention.

A method of using a modular leg raiser system is also disclosed herein comprising the steps of: providing a modular leg raiser system having a frame and a plurality of pillows, and placing the plurality of pillows on the frame in a user-desired combination to place feet of a user in an elevated position whereby his/her the feet are located on a plane above a level of a heart of the user. The method may further comprise the step of adjusting a configuration of the plurality of pillows.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, leg raiser systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the leg raiser system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the leg raiser device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the leg raiser device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the leg raiser device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to furniture and more particularly to a leg raiser system as used to improve the ability of users to comfortably elevate their legs.

Generally, the present invention comprises a leg raiser which allows for a stack, which is sufficiently high, but can only be toppled by excessive horizontal force applied. It can also accommodate the buildup of multiple layers of pillows of varied densities and thicknesses over its support base.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a leg raiser system 100.

FIG. 1 shows a leg raiser system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the leg raiser system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to elevate legs. As illustrated, the leg raiser system 100 may include a modular leg raiser system 102 comprising: a frame 110 including a first-top-rail 112; a second-top-rail 113; a first-bottom-rail 114; a second-bottom-rail 115; end connector members 116; a plurality of side-rails 117; a plurality of top-slats 118; and a plurality of bottom-slats 119; a plurality of pillows 120; wherein the frame 110 of the modular leg raiser system 102 comprises of and is defined by the first-top-rail 112; the second-top-rail 113; the first-bottom-rail 114; the second-bottom-rail 115; and the end connector members 116. Relationally speaking, the first-top-rail 112; and the second-top-rail 113 reside on a plane above the first-bottom-rail 114; and the second-bottom-rail 115 during an in-use condition 150. The plurality of side-rails 117 provide vertical rigidity for the frame 110 (although not suitable for standing on). The plurality of top-slats 118 are located between the first-top-rail 112; and the second-top-rail 113 and the plurality of bottom-slats 119 are located between the first-bottom-rail 114; and the second-bottom-rail 115 formed as a base 122. The plurality of top-slats 118 in combination with the first-top-rail 112; and the second-top-rail 113 provide a surface upon which to strategically place the pillows 120 in combination to allow a user 140 to elevate his/her feet above a level of a heart of the user 140. The device may or may not be sold with a modular pillow set.

The following is a list of components for building the present invention:

Item 1 10 - ¾″ × 1½″ × 7¾ inch long poplar posts Item 2 4 - ¼″ × 1½″ × 23¾ inch long poplar slats Item 3 8 - ¼″ × 1½″ × 12 inch long poplar hearing slats glued or screwed to Items 2 (5 top and 3 bottom) with high strength adhesive used Item 4 24 - Everbilt ¾ inch White Furniture Braces (Model #859-741)

Hardware, required for the Assembly of the One Ft Leg Raiser;

-   -   8 pcs. of 8×Flat Socket Head Wood Screws     -   24 pcs. of 8-32×1″ Round Socket Head Machine Screws     -   12 pcs. of 8-32×1 ¼″ Round Socket Head Machine Screws     -   48 pcs. of 5/32 Lock Washers     -   12 pcs. 8/32 Screw Nuts     -   18 pcs. of 8/32 Flat Washers

Further Not of Importance in the use of the One F/t Leg Raiser

-   -   This product was designed for structural strength, rigidity and         easy portability.     -   It should not be used as a stool or stepping platform by anyone         of any age or weight.     -   The cross-webbing of the slats reduces the random sliding of         cushions or pillows under your legs.

According to one embodiment, the leg raiser system 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the leg raiser system 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the leg raiser system 100 such that the leg raiser system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIGS. 2-4 show various views of the leg raiser system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The leg raiser system 100 (embodiment sold without pillows 120) comprises: a frame 110 including a first-top-rail 112, a second-top-rail 113, a first-bottom-rail 114, a second-bottom-rail 115, end connector members 116, a plurality of side-rails 117, a plurality of top-slats 118, and a plurality of bottom-slats 119; wherein the frame 110 of the leg raiser system 100 comprises of and is defined by the first-top-rail 112, the second-top-rail 113, the first-bottom-rail 114, the second-bottom-rail 115, and the end connector members 116. The first-top-rail 112, and the second-top-rail 113 reside on a plane above the first-bottom-rail 114, and the second-bottom-rail 115 during an in-use condition.

The plurality of side-rails 117 provide vertical rigidity for the frame 110. The plurality of top-slats 118 are located between the first-top-rail 112, and the second-top-rail 113, and the plurality of bottom-slats 119 are located between the first-bottom-rail 114, and the second-bottom-rail 115 formed as a base 122. As designed, the plurality of top-slats 118 in combination with the first-top-rail 112, and the second-top-rail 113 provide a surface upon which to strategically place pillows 120 in combination to allow a user 140 to elevate his/her feet above a level of the heart of the user 140. This promotes decreased swelling and blood accumulation in lower limbs. The pillows 120 can be stacked in levels. The pillows 120 each may comprise a same/similar density or a different density or combination thereof. Different shaped pillows 120 may be used and modularly stacked in a ‘tetrus’ fashion. Pillows 120 may comprise the same thicknesses or different thicknesses.

The frame 110 of the leg raiser system 100 is preferably boxed. The frame 110 comprises a rectangular prism 108 in preferred embodiments that is framed-only (not sheathed) to reduce overall weight for greater portability between locations. The number of the plurality of top-slats 118 is greater than the plurality of bottom-slats 119. The frame 110 is floor-mountable.

The frame 110 preferably comprises wood material. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other material arrangements such as, for example, composites, plastics, different kinds of woods and non-woods, metals, etc., may be sufficient.

The plurality of top-slats 118 in preferred embodiments comprises exactly five top-slats 118; and the plurality of bottom-slats 119 comprises exactly three bottom-slats 119. The frame 110 further is constructed preferably using screw fasteners or other suitably equivalent fastening means such as adhesive, nails or the like. The novel cross-webbing of the top-slats 118 prevents horizontal sliding of the pillows 120 in relation to the frame. The leg raiser system 100 may further comprise braces/bracing means for increase structural rigidity.

A method of using a modular leg raiser system may comprise the steps of: providing a modular leg raiser system having a frame and a plurality of pillows and placing the plurality of pillows on the frame in a user-desired combination to place feet of a user in an elevated position whereby his/her the feet are located on a plane above a level of a heart of the user. The method may further comprise the step of adjusting a configuration of the plurality of pillows.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A leg raiser system comprising: a frame including a first-top-rail; a second-top-rail; a first-bottom-rail; a second-bottom-rail; end connector members; a plurality of side-rails; a plurality of top-slats; and a plurality of bottom-slats; wherein said frame of said leg raiser system comprises of and is defined by said first-top-rail; said second-top-rail; said first-bottom-rail; said second-bottom-rail; and said end connector members; wherein said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail reside on a plane above said first-bottom-rail; and said second-bottom-rail during an in-use condition; wherein said plurality of side-rails provide vertical rigidity for said frame; wherein said plurality of top-slats are located between said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail; wherein said plurality of bottom-slats are located between said first-bottom-rail; and said second-bottom-rail formed as a base; and wherein said plurality of top-slats in combination with said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail provide a surface upon which to strategically place pillows in combination to allow a user to elevate his/her feet above a level of a heart of the user.
 2. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein said frame is boxed.
 3. The leg raiser system of claim 2, wherein said frame comprises a rectangular prism.
 4. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein a number of said plurality of top-slats is greater than said plurality of bottom-slats.
 5. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the pillows can be stacked in levels.
 6. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises wood material.
 7. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of top-slats comprises exactly five said top-slats.
 8. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bottom-slats comprises exactly three said bottom-slats.
 9. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the frame further is constructed using screw fasteners.
 10. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein cross-webbing of the top-slats prevents horizontal sliding of said pillows in relation to said frame.
 11. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the frame is floor-mountable.
 12. The leg raiser system of claim 1, further comprising braces.
 13. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the pillows each comprise a same density.
 14. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the pillows each comprise a different density.
 15. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the pillows each comprise a different thickness.
 16. The leg raiser system of claim 1, wherein the pillows each comprise a same thickness.
 17. A modular leg raiser system comprising: a frame including a first-top-rail; a second-top-rail; a first-bottom-rail; a second-bottom-rail; end connector members; a plurality of side-rails; a plurality of top-slats; and a plurality of bottom-slats; a plurality of pillows; wherein said frame of said modular leg raiser system comprises of and is defined by said first-top-rail; said second-top-rail; said first-bottom-rail; said second-bottom-rail; and said end connector members; wherein said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail reside on a plane above said first-bottom-rail; and said second-bottom-rail during an in-use condition; wherein said plurality of side-rails provide vertical rigidity for said frame; wherein said plurality of top-slats are located between said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail; wherein said plurality of bottom-slats are located between said first-bottom-rail; and said second-bottom-rail formed as a base; and wherein said plurality of top-slats in combination with said first-top-rail; and said second-top-rail provide a surface upon which to strategically place said pillows in combination to allow a user to elevate his/her feet above a level of a heart of the user.
 18. The leg raiser system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the leg raiser system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of using a modular leg raiser system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a modular leg raiser system having a frame and a plurality of pillows; and placing said plurality of pillows on said frame in a user-desired combination to place feet of a user in an elevated position whereby his/her said feet are located on a plane above a level of a heart of the user.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of adjusting a configuration of said plurality of pillows. 